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A TRUE HISTORY 



OF THK 



MASSACRE OF NINETY-SIX CHRISTIAN INDIANS, 



AT 



GNADENHUETTEN, OHld, 



MARCH 8th, IT 82, 



Published bt the Gnadenhuetten Monument Sociktt, 
Organized Oct. 7th, 1843. 



NEW PHILADELPHIA, 

Printed at the •<Obio Democrat'' Offic*. 

1847. 









In order to perpetuate the memory of the ninety-six Christian Indians, 
who, on the 8th of March, 1782, fell innocent victims to the eavage ferocity 
of a lawless band of whites, and whosemeekenduranceof suffering, crown- 
ed with a triumphant death, is worthy of commemoration, a society wa« 
formed and organized in October, 1843, having for it/i object the erectioa 
ofa suitable monument on the spot where the massacre was perpetrated, 
near the present village of Gnadenhuetten, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. 

This Society, having obtained the control ofa pari of the ground where- 
on the former Indian village ol Gnadenhuetten stood, containing about six 
acres, and where the location of the 'slaughter-houses' can still be identi- 
fied, has fenced it in, partially cleared off the underbrush with which it 
was overgrown, and in other respects improved and beautified it. But the 
Society being, as yet, small, and its funds inadequte to the end in view, 
begs leave to lay its object before the christian community, with a rcqu«!et 
for assistance. An effort will be made, ."should sufficient aid be granted. 
to erect a plain, but durable monument on the spot where the massacre 
was committed, during the next season. Any donation for this purpoe« 
transmitted to any one of the officers of the Society, will be gratefully a.c- 
kaowledged. 
^ The olhcers of the Grnadenhuetten Monument Society are: 

President: Rev. SYLVESTER WOLLE, Gnadenhueltea. 
Vice President: Hon. JACOB BLICKENSDERFES, Canal Dover. 

Tkeasukek: Rev. LEWIS F. KAMPMANN, 

bECEETAKY: SOLOMON HOOVER, Gnadenhuetteo, 

C Hon. EP.ENEZER LANE, Sandusky City. 

DiEECTOEs: } CHARLES B. PETER, Gnadenhuetteii, 

( JO.NATHAN WiNSCH. 



Alas! alas! for treachery! the boasting white men came 
With weapons of destruction, — the sword of lurid flame; 
And while the poor defenceless ones together bowed in prayer, 
Unpitying they smote them while kneeling meekly there. 

The cry of slaughter'd innocence went loudly up to heaven; 
And can ye hope, ye murderin}^ bands, ever to be forgiven^ 
We know not, — yet we ween for you the latest lingering prayer, 
That trembled on your victims lips, was, "God, forgive and spare!" 

HZSTORZCAZ. ZNTnODUCTZON. 

The first successful ratempt at preaching the Gospel to the 
heathen Delawares, inhabiting the Eastern section of the pre- 
sent State of Ohio, was made by the Moravian Missionary, Da- 
vid Zeisberger, in the spring of 177 2; and in the course o( a tew 
years several flourishing congregations of Christian Indiana 
were planted on the banks of the Tuscarawas river. But alter 
the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, in 1775, the Mis- 
sionary establishments at Gnadenhuetten, Salem and Schoen- 
hrunn, were frequently interrupted, and the lailh and patience 
of the Missionary brethren and their Indian congregations 
often severely tried. As their religion taught them to cultivate 
the art of peace instead of war, and as thev wished to preserve 
neutrality between the English and their Indian allies on the 
one hand, and thp Ameiicans on the other, they were subject 
to constant suspicion, and were treated in a hostile manner by 
both parties. The English Governor at Fort Detroit, influ- 
enced by the calumnies of their enemies, believed that the 
Christian Indians were partizans with the Amerians, and that 
the Missionaries acted as spies. In order to rid himself of them, 
he sent a message to Pimoacan the half-king of the Wyandots, 
to take up the Indian congregations and their teachers, and 
carry them away. This man, instigated by the Delaware Cap- 
tain Pipe, a sworn enemy to the mission, at length agreed to 
commit this act of injustice. 

In August, 1781, a troop of warriors amounting to upwards 
of 300, commanded by the half-kins, the Delaware Captain 
Pipe, and an English Captain Elliott, made their appearance at 
Gnadenhuetten to accomplish this cruel object. The half-king 
and his retinue put on the mask of friendship and proposed the 
removal of the Christian Indians as a measure dictated by a re- 
gard tor theii' safety. This proposal they respectfully declined 



[4] 

promising, however, to consider their words, and return an 
answer, the next winter. 

The half-king would probably have been satisfied with this 
answer, had not the English officer, Elliott, and Captain Pipe 
urged him to persevere. The consequence was that the hos- 
tile party became peremptory in their demands, and insisted 
on their removal. Their vengeance was particularl}'' directed 
against the missionaries, and they held frequent consulations in 
which it was proposed to murder all the white brethren and 
sisters, and even the Indian assistants, Finally, alter much 
violence, and many barbarous cruelties, they compelled the 
Christian Indians and their teachers to emigrate, leaving behind 
them a great quantity of corn in their stores, besides a large 
crop just reaped, together with potatoes and other vegetables 
and garden fruits. 

In the beginning of October, 1781, the Missionaries, with 
the greater part of their congregation, arrived under the escort 
of the Wyandots at Sandusky. Here their savage conductors 
abandoned them, and loaded with plunder, returned to their 
homes, leaving them to shift for themselves in a country that 
was destitute of game, and every means of support. Pimoa- 
can exulted in the accomplishment of his designs, and informed 
them that being now in hi? dominions, they were bound to 
obey his mandates, and commanded them to hold themselves in 
readiness to go to battle with him. 

For a lime the exiles roved to and fro, seeking a favorable 
locality for their stay over winter, and at length pitched upon 
a spot, situated on the Easi side of the Upper Sandusky, as the 
best they could find. Yet even here the country was dreary 
and barren, and they were at a loss to conceive whence the 
means of supporting so many should come during the winter 
which had already set in. Their small stock of provisions was 
nearly exhausted, and the missionaries had to depend upon the 
voluntary contributions of those members who had a little In- 
dian corn left. 

Wiih their usual diligence, rising through faith above all dis- 
heartening trials, ihey at once commencedbuilding huts for the 
winter. During their labors their daily meetings were kept un- 
der the broad canopy of heaven. When the shadows of even- 
ing fell upon them, they seated themselves around fires in the 
open air; one of the missionaries delivering to the listening cir- 
cle a short discourse. At times some of the strolling savages 
would also attend, not to hear the gospel preached, but to scofT 
and laugh. What a sight! The genius of religion might hover 
over it, and point to the redeeming power which accompanied 
ihe cross of Christ! Wild Savages cleaving to the hope of 
eternal life amid all the ill-fortune that seemed at every step to 



[5] 

mark their Christian pilgrimage! But their joy no man couM 
take from them. 

A message then came lo them from ihe commandant at De- 
troit, that the Missionaries should repair thither. Glad ot the 
opportunit)' to exculpate themselves, and relute the many lies 
propagated respecting them, four of the teachers with several 
Indian brethren, obeyed the summons. They appeared before 
the court martial at that place; their conduct was investigated, 
especially in relation to the unputed 'correspondence with the re- 
bels, and frustrating of the intended a-ltacks of Indians upon the 
frontiers,' and they were completely exonerated from all blame.* 

The governor endeavored to atone for the ill treatment he 
had brought upon them, by every act of kindness. He provi- 
ded them with suitable clothinti and other necessaries, repur- 
chased their watches for ihem, and parted from them with 
most marked expressions of esteem. 

Thankful for the jjracious interposition of God in their be- 
half, the Missionaries returned home, and were greeted with 
unbounded joy by their people, who had apprehended that ihey 
would be kept prisoners; and such, had, indeed, been ihe com- 
mandant's oricinal intention. Notwithstanding their extreme 
poverty the followmg months were a joyful season to them, 
and they celebrated Christmas with cheerlulness and a bless- 
ing, in their newly built log chapel. 

The year 1782 had now commenced, and their situation was 
distressing in the extreme. A supply of 400 bushels ot Indian 
corn, which had been fetched from the deserted towns, on the 
Tuscarawas, was again exhausted, and famine stared ihem in 
the face. Provisions of ail kinds were wanting; corn was very 
scarce throughout the country, and such as ha(J ii asked a dol- 
lar for three or four quarts; the winter was unusually severe, 
and wood difficult to be obtained. The cattle began to die of 
hunger; and the congregation were driven to the necessity of 
supporting themselves upon their carcasses. In some instances 
babes perished for want of nourishment from then* mothers' im- 
poverished breasts. 

♦Dr. Doddridge in Iiis notes on tlie Indian Wars appears to me to have 
given credence to the cliarges of the Moravians having often sent runners 
to fort Pitt to give notica of the approach of war parties and so far viola- 
ting the terms of neutrality, upon insufficient autlionty It is not denied 
that the Christian [ndians relieved the prisoners who were carried through 
their settlements, and often dissuaded their heathen kinsmen from pursuing 
their expeditions, but their hearts were equally open to every appeal of suf- 
fering humanity. It would appear strange that a circumstance lik« the one 
conceded by Dr. Doddridge sliould not have come to light before the tri- 
bunal at Detroit, confronted as they were by their enemies, the chief of 
whom. Captain Pipe, after some fruitless evasions, was obliged to conf«s« 
that be had calumniated them. 



[6] 

In these deplorable circumstances, after due deliberation, the 
Indians came to the determination to return once more for food 
to their forsaken fields, where the corn was still standing. 
Having formed themselves mto several divisions, they set out, 
in all about one hundred and fifty, men, women and children, 
the greater part to return no more, but to fall a sacrifice to the 
treachery and revenge of the white men in the notorious liias- 
sacre at Gnadenhuetten.t 

THE TaASSJLCTLH. 

The actors in this foul transaction consisted of a military 
band of about one hundred men, from the western parts of 
Virginia and Pennsylvania, under the command of Col. David 
Williamson. The murder was premeditated; for their purpose 
was to proceed as far as Sandusky, in order to destroy all the 
Bloravian Indians. Among the incentives to this expedition 
against a quiet and peaceable people, were the unusually early 
depredations of the savages upon the Ohio settlements in the 
month of February, which, it is alledged, led to the conclusion 
that the murderers were either JMcravians, or that the warri- 
ors had their winter quarters in the Moravian towns; in either 
case the Moravians being in fault, the safety of the frontier 
settlements required the destruction of their establishments. 
Besides, the dismissal ofShabosh and some Christian Indians, 
who had been captured in the fall by Col. Gibson of Pittsburg, 
and which was but a common act of justice, gave great offence 
to the neighboring settlers. ]\Ien of the first standing in those 
parts in consequence volunteered to accompany Col. William- 
son; each man furnishing himself with his own ammunition, 
and provisions, and many of them travelling on horsebacii. 

Col. Gibson, of Fort Pitt, despatched messengers, as soon as 
he heard of the plot, to warn the Indians of the approaching 
danger, but they arrived too late. From another quarter, how- 
ever, they received iimehi notice, but, unfortunately, they 
thought the information unworthy of credit. So secure did 
they feel at their occupations, that they neglected all their usu- 
n\ ;>recautions. Parties were at work in the cornfields, at each 
of the three settlements. Gnadenhuetten, Salem, and Schoen- 
brunn. They had already made fine progress, and gathered 
a large quantity of grain, and were beginning to bundle up their 
packs in order to take their final leave of the places, when sud- 
denly the mililia made their appearance. 

When within a mile of Gnadenhuetten, Col. Williamson's 
party had encamped lor the night and reconnoitered their po- 
sition. On the morning of the 6th of March the following plan 



t My authorities for the following narration are Zeisberger's Journal, 
Holmes' and Loskiel's Histories; WiUet's Scenes in the Wilderness, and 
Doddridge's Notes. 



[7] 

for an assault vras devised. One half the men were to cross 
the river, and attack the Indians who were at work in their 
cornfields on the West side, whilst the other half, being divided 
into three detachments, were to fall simultaneously irom diff- 
erent quarters upon the village on the East side, — When the 
former division reached ihe river, they could not ford it, be- 
came it was high and filled with floating ice; but, observing 
something like a canoe on the other side, a young man of the 
party swam across, and brought over what proved to bo a large 
sap-trough. In this, going two by two, they commenced cross- 
ing, but impatient at the delay, a few got over, swimming at 
its side and holding fast to the edges. In this manner sixteen 
had crossed over, when the sentinels, who were in advance, 
discovered a lad, named Joseph Shabosh, the son of the assist- 
ant missionary, fired at him and broke one of his arms. The 
rest hastened to the spot, sending word by those who remained 
on the East side, for the other detachments to march upon 
Gnadenhuetten without a moment's delay, supposing that the 
firing would have alarmed the inhabitants. With most piteous 
entreaties young Shabosh begged them to spare his life, repre- 
senting that he Avas the son of a white man; but, regardless of 
his cries and tears, they killed him with their hatchets, and 
^calped him. After thus whetting their appetites in his warm 
life-blood, the party approached the plantations. 

The first to discover their approach was an Indian named 
Jacob, a brother-in-law to young Shabosh, who was employed 
near the banks of the river, tying up his corn. Remaining un- 
perceived he was about to hail them, supposing them to be a 
friendly party, when at that instant they shot at one of the 
brethren who was just crossing the river from the town. Up- 
on perceiving this, Jacob fled with the utmost precipitation, 
and before their faces were turned towards him, was out of 
sight. Had he acted with some coolness and courage, he micht 
have saved many a valuable life; especially by proceeding to 
Salem, and giving the alarm. But instead of this, fear led him 
to flee several miles in an opposite direction, where he hid him- 
self a day and a night. 

The party of sixteen now drew near to the Indians, who 
were at work in the fields in considerable numbers, and had 
their guns with them, and finding that they were greatly out- 
numbered, accosted them in a friendly manner. They pretend- 
ed to pity them on account of their past sufl"erings, said they 
had come to conduct them to a place of safety near Pittsbu'g, 
and advised them to discontinue their v/ork at once, and return 
with them to the town to hold a further parley. To all this the 
Indians, anticipating no harm from American soldiers, and ig- 
norant as yetol the murder of Shabosh, cheerfully acceded. — 



[8] 

Not dreaming that they were to be caught "like fish in an evil 
net, and as birds that are caught in the snare," they rejoiced 
that they had found such true friends, and imagined they saw 
the hand of God in it — who was about to put an end to all their 
suffering?, and lead them to a more secure and pleasant country. 

The other detachments had meanwhile arrived at the village, 
where they found but one man, and a woman, whom they shot, 
as she was hiding in the bushes. But so prepossessed were the 
Indians with the idea of removing, that nothing was able to 
shake their confidence in the white men. They cheerfully sur- 
rendered their guns, hr.tchots and other weapons, upon receiv- 
ing the promise that they should bo restored at Pittsburg, 
.showed then> where they had secreted their communion-wine 
and other property in the woods, helped them to pack it up, 
and began to make every preparation for the journey to Pitts- 
burg. 

The native assistant John Martin had gene to Salem, imme- 
diately upon the arrival of the party, to inform the inhabitants 
of the state of af!airs; and the next dny a troop of horsemen 
rode down to bring ihem all in. VViih the same confiding trust 
in their professions of poace and good-will, they returned with 
ihem, conversing on the road upon religious topics, in which 
their attendants joined with much appearance of piety. Simple 
children of the forest, how dove-like had Christi;miiy made you! 
How little did you dream of deliberate deceit aiid base treach- 
ery, and that as sheep you were being led to the slaughter! — 
Arriving at the river-bank opposite Gnadenhuetten, their eyes 
began to open, however, when it was too late. Tlviv discov- 
ered a spot of blood on the sand, wliich excited disquietude and 
alarm. Soon their boding fears received full confirmation. As 
soon as they entered the town ail were seized, as those in town 
had been a short time before, their guns and pocket knives 
were taken by their conductors; they were pinioned, and con- 
lined in two houses standing some distance apart; the men in 
one, the women and children in the other. Here they met to- 
gether — associates for the last time in sorrow. They mingled 
their tears and their sympaifiies together, and their prayers 
ascended to the throne of grace. 

The miscrcanrs now held a consultation, to decide the late of 
the prisioners. The charges which ihey brought against them 
were, that their horses, as also their axes, pewter basins and 
spoons, and all they possessed had been stolen or obtained by 
improper means from the white people, and also that they were 
warriors, and not christians. All of ijiese accusations were ut- 
terly false and frivolou?. On the contrary it is presumable that 
the expediiion would never have been undertaken, or at least not 
so imprudently conducted, il they iiad anticipated resistance. 



[9] 

They well knew th<» pacific principle's of the Moravian Indians, 
and calculated on blood and plunder without having a shot fired 
at them. With a mere show of defence it is likely thai such 
men might have been rt'pulsed. Some deeds of blood were, no 
doubt, imputed to these Indians, for, according to the statement 
of the missionaries, the Wyandot and Delaware warriors, who 
were inimical to the Gospel, had always made it a point to re- 
turn from their campaigns through their settlements, in the ex- 
pectation that It would brin;j: the whiles upon the Moravians. 
Some warriors, too, accompanied ihem on their return irom 
Sandusky, crossed the Ohio and committed several murders, 
and <tn their way back stopped near Gnadenhuetten, where they 
impaled a wowan and child; but it is equally certain that the 
Christians had no part or lot in the matter. Two of those 
warriors were captured at the same lime, and were tomahawk- 
ed outside of the town by the white men. — As to the other 
charge, it rested upon no othfi loundation ihan that one man is 
said to have found here ihe bloody clothes ol his wife and chil- 
dren, which were plainly those of the women and child killed 
near the town, and secreted here by their enemies. Others 
may have recognized property in the hands of the Indians, 
since it is piobable that the warriors, in their passage through 
the villages, were in the habit of bartering various articles of 
value, for provisions, in lieu of n-ioney; but if this was contra'ry 
to their neutral engagements, it was unavoidable, as the war- 
riors possessed both the will and the means to compel them to 
give them whatever they wanted. 

On such pretexts, the Indians were condemned to death. 
The blood-thirsty troops were clamorous to begin the butchery 
without delay. The officers hesitated. But can it be doubted, 
that if they had been really averse to the crime, they might 
have checked the vindictive spirit of their unprincipled suboi'- 
dinates? And had Col. Williamson been the braise man he is 
represented to have been, would he not have staked his life upon 
their defence, rather than that the unofiending and pious cap- 
tives should perish? It was probably, therelore, more for the 
sake of appearances, and to devolve a part of the awful respon- 
sibility upon their men. than from any motives ot mercy, that 
thev determined first to let it be put to a vote of the whole coi-ps. 
Col. Williamson put the question, in form: "Whether the Mo- 
ravian Indians should be taken prisoners to Pittsburg, or put to 
death;" and requested that all those who were in favor of sav- 
ing their lives, should step out of their line and form a second 
rank. On this sixteen or eighteen stepped lorward, and up- 
wards of eighty remained- The fate of the Indians was thus 
decided on, and they were told to prepare for death, a brief re- 
spile till the morrow being all that was granted them. 



[10] 

During the night the murderers deliberated whether thej 
should luirn liiem alive, or tomahawk ;ind scalp them, and 9. 
few proposed uiiUler measures; but the voice ot mercy was 
overruled, and il was dplermiaed to butcher them one by one. 
The Indians were at first overwhelmed at the nev s ot their 
impending fate. Cut (luickly collectin(» themselves again, and 
patiently submittmg to the inscrutable decree of the Lord, 
whose servants tht-y had become, they spent the night in pray- 
er, asking pardon ot each other for whatever offence they had 
given, or griet ihey liad occasioned, and exhorting one anoth- 
er to a faithlul and meek endurance ol their trials to the end. 
Then at the dawn of morning they odered fervent supplications 
to God their Saviou>*, and united in singing praises unto Him, 
in the joyful hope that they should soon enter into His glorious 
presence, in everlasting bliss. In this hour the consolations of 
divine grace abounded in their souls; they felt the peace of 
God which passelh all understanding, and cheerlully resigned, 
they awaited the summons ol their executioners. 

It was the morning of ttie 8lh of March when the awful 
scene was enacted. The murderers came to them whilst they 
were engaged in singing, and asked, "'wliether they were ready 
to die?" and received lor answer, '-that they had commended 
themselves to God, who had given them the assurance in their 
hearts that he would receive iheir souls." The carnage then 
immediately commenced. By couples they were led bound 
into two houses that had been selected for the purpose, and 
were aptly termed the "Slaughter-Houses;" the men to the one, 
the women and children to the other, and as they entered were 
knocked down and butchered. A Pennsylvanian of the party 
conducted the slaughter of the brethren. Taking up a cooper's 
mallet, (the house had been occupied by a cooper.) he said, 
looking at it, and handling it, "How exactly this will answer 
for the business.'' With this as the instrument of death, ho 
continued knocking them down one after another, until he had 
killed fourteen with his own hands. He then handed the mal- 
let to one of his fellow-murderers, saying: "My arm tails me; 
goon in the same way: 1 think I have done pretty well."* Ot 
the horrors that fanspired in the house of the poor women and 
children we have no further aecount, than that a woman, called 
Christina, who had resided in Bethlehem, Pa., and could speak 
Enirlish well, tell upon her knees before the Captain, and beg- 
ged him to spare their lives, but was told it was impossible. 
So ferocious had they become that they were not satisfied with 
jiimply destroying their lives, but disfigured the dead and dying 

* Ttiia was related by a lad who escaped out of the house, and who 
oaderstood Engliah well. 



ID 1.4BAlfi 



t'O 

bodies in a horrible manner. 

Thus perished at least ninety innocent persona, of all ages — 
from the grey-haired sire down to the helpless innocent at itf 
mother's breast. Leaving the houses which were now reeking 
with the blood and man^jled remains of their victims, they went 
to a little distance, making merry over the horrid deed ; but 
returning a^ain they saw one named Abel, who thoiii^h scalped 
and mangled was attempting to rise, and despiitcrlied him. 

The whole number of the slain was ninety-six ; of these 
•ome were killed before the general massacre, as Shabosh and 
bis wife, and several who in attempting to esciipe by swimming 
the river were shot. — Several warriors were likewise killed at 
the same tim**, outside of the town. Of the whole number of 
Moravian Indians, lorty were men, twenty- two were women, 
and thirty-four children. Five of the men were respectable 
native assistants : Samuel Moore, Tobias, Jonas, Isaac 
Glickhican and John Martin. Samuel Moore and Tobias had 
been members of the congregation of that eminently devoted 
servant of God and most faiihlul missionary, David i^rainerd. 
After his death they left New Jersey and joined the Mora- 
vians. Samuel had received his education from Brainerd, could 
read, and was so well acquainted with the Engii;Ji language, 
that for many years he served in the capacity ot interpreter. 
The others, also, bore excellent characters, and were very 
useful members of the Church. Isaac Glickhican had been a 
sachem, and was noted among his countrymen lor superior 
wisdom and courage. 

Only two lads of fourteen or fifteen years of age effected 
their escape from the hands of the murderers. One of these 
was knocked down and scalped with the rest in the sljiughlei- 
house of the brethren. Recovering a little he looked around, 
and beheld on all sides the mangled corpses ot thni dead. 
Among them he observed Abel attempting to rise, whom tha 
tvhite men, coming in soon afterwards, despatclu'd. With 
great presence of mind he lay quite still among ihe heaps of 
slatn, and when they had deparieu, cept over the bodies to 
the door, still keeping himself in such a position as easily to 
feign death, it any person should approach. As it l»egan to grow 
dusk, he qnickly ijot out at the door, hid iumselt beiund the 
house until it was quite dark, and then escaped. The other lad 
hart loosed his bonds, soon after it was ascertained that they 
were to die, succeeded in escaping out of the house where they 
were confined, and crept by a small cellar window under the 
house where the women were subsequently butchered. Here 
he remained imdetected, and as the butchery proceeded, saw^ 
the blood How in streams into the cellar- He kept hiinseli con- 
cealed till evening, when he with much ditiicjulty made his way 



[12j 

out of the narrow window into the woods. These two lads 
mot providenlially, and staying awhile to watch the move- 
ments of the white party, journeyed together to Sandusky. 
The Indians who were gathering corn at Schoenbrunn were 
saved from the fate of their brethren. They had despatched 
two bretheren lo Gnadenhuetten and Salem, carrying intelli- 
gence to ihem from the missionaries, on the day that the band 
arrived. These, on their way, discovered lo their great sur- 
prise the marks of hr rses' hoofs along and beside the path, and 
cautiously followed the tracks, until they found the body of 
Shabosh. They buried his body, and after observing that there 
were many white men in the village, and concludiug from the 
fate of Shabosh that their hretheren had all perished by the 
same cruel hands, hastily returned to Schoenbrunn. Here 
all took to instant flight concealing themselves in the woods 
for some days, on the opposite side of the river. When the 
murderers arrived therefore upon the following day, they 
might easily have been discovered ; but, being struck with an i 
unaccountable blindness, and finding no trace of Indians, they 
soon rode ofT, after pillaging and burning the village. 

In the same night of the massacre the white men set fire to 
all the houses of Gnadenhuetten, and to the slaughter houses 
among the rest. The dead bodies Avere but partinlly consumed, 
and their bones remained to bleach in the sun, until alter some 
twenty yea-s they received interment by friendly hands. By 
the light of the burning village the murderers then departed, 
lending the air with shouts and yells more savage ^han ever 
arose in the wilderness before, carrying with them the scalps, 
about fifty horses, numerous blankets, and some other aiticles of 
plunder, which they exposed for sale in Pittsburg. On their 
way back they made another attuck on an Indian settlement 
a short distance from Pittsburgh, and were paitiallv success- 
ful. 

After a journey, attended with innumerable hardships, the 
Indians from Shoenbrunn arrived at Sandusky alinoiit f;imished, 
having left all their provisions behmd. They returned to a 
dreary country; and to add to their distress, they returned to 
take anotlier leave of their teachers. Well might they say with 
the patriarch Jacob, ''All these things are agiiinst me. " But 
they muimured not — they trusted in God, and look courage. 

In conclusion, may 'he memory of our red brethren who at 
Gnadenhuetten sealed their faith with blood, ever ren ain; and 
may their pious confession of the Saviour in sufleiing, their 
nieek endurance, and triumphant Chiislian death, bear testimo- 
ny to the Truth as it is in Jesus, as long as the memory of the 
atrocious deed shall last! 




K c°"..i,V^;,-. °o >\.,a^,;.,*-^^^ c°\v 



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